Beyond their professional triumphs, their educational odysseys stand as powerful narratives, underscoring the pivotal role of education in shaping influential careers. Join us as we explore the inspiring journeys of these formidable Indian women, whose stories are not only powerful but also crafted with academic excellence, reflecting the transformative power of knowledge.

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Professional Success: Nirmala Sitharaman, a stalwart in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the current Minister of Finance and Minister of Corporate Affairs for India, has etched an illustrious career. Her groundbreaking tenure as the 28th Defense Minister from 2017 to 2019 marked a historic moment as India’s second female defense minister and finance minister after the esteemed Indira Gandhi.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Economics: Nirmala Sitharaman’s academic journey began at Seethalakshmi Ramasamy College in Tiruchirapalli, where she pursued a degree in Economics. This foundational step laid the groundwork for her future endeavours.
• Master’s degree in Economics: Building upon her undergraduate studies, Sitharaman furthered her education at Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi, earning a master’s degree in Economics. This educational background not only equipped her with economic insights but also showcased her commitment to academic excellence.

Nirmala Sitharaman’s educational journey didn’t just break gender barriers; it fortified her path with a robust academic foundation, reflecting her dedication to excellence in both defence and finance.

Professional Success: Securing the 60th position, Roshni Nadar Malhotra is a trailblazing figure as the Chairperson of HCL Technologies. Her leadership has broken barriers, and she is recognized as the first woman to lead a listed IT company in India.

Education:

• MBA from the Kellogg School of Management: Roshni Nadar Malhotra, the trailblazing chairperson of HCL Technologies, earned her stripes in the world of business at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, USA. Her pursuit of an MBA at this prestigious institution laid the groundwork for her impactful leadership in the IT sector.

Roshni Nadar Malhotra’s recognition as the first woman to lead a listed IT company in India is underscored by her educational background. Armed with an MBA from a globally renowned institution, she stands as a testament to the influence of quality education on professional success and impactful philanthropy.

Professional Success: Soma Mondal, currently holding the 70th position, is the Chairperson of the Steel Authority of India. Her journey has been marked by breaking barriers in the male-dominated steel industry, including being the first woman Functional Director and Chairman at SAIL.

Education:

• Graduated in Electrical Engineering in 1984: Soma Mondal, the current Chairperson of the Steel Authority of India, embarked on her journey in the male-dominated steel industry with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Graduating in 1984, she entered the workforce armed with technical knowledge and a determination to challenge industry norms.

With over 35 years of industry experience, Soma Mondal’s career milestones include becoming the first woman Functional Director and Chairman at SAIL. Beyond her corporate achievements, she holds the position of Chairperson of SCOPE and was honoured as ‘CEO of the Year’ at the ETPrime Women Leadership Awards in 2023.

Professional Success: Ranked 76th, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is a distinguished Indian billionaire entrepreneur, renowned as the founder of Biocon Limited. Her contributions to the biotechnology industry have earned her a place on the Financial Times’ Top 50 Women in Business list.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Zoology: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, a prominent Indian billionaire entrepreneur and founder of Biocon Limited, commenced her academic journey with a bachelor’s degree in Zoology from Bangalore University. This foundational education in the life sciences set the stage for her future contributions to the biotechnology industry.
• Post-graduate studies in Malting and Brewing: Further enhancing her knowledge, Mazumdar-Shaw pursued post-graduate studies in Malting and Brewing from Ballarat College, Melbourne, Australia. This unique blend of scientific expertise and business acumen became a driving force in her success as a leader in the biotechnology sector.

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw’s journey exemplifies the transformative power of diverse educational experiences, shaping her into a prominent force in the biotechnology field. Her accolades, including being featured on the Financial Times’ Top 50 women in Business list, underscore the impact of her education on her entrepreneurial prowess.

End Note

The Forbes 2023 profiles of India’s top four strong women’s educational trajectories inspire drive, perseverance, and intellectual success. Nirmala Sitharaman, Roshni Nadar Malhotra, Soma Mondal, and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw have shattered boundaries in their areas and shown how education has transformed their lives.

As we celebrate their successes, a solid educational foundation weaves through their tales. The Forbes list acknowledges their influence and emphasises the necessity of education, effort, and ongoing learning to reach worldwide success. These ladies demonstrate that education can shatter barriers and change power dynamics.

Often it is seen that students come forward with great enthusiasm to step into the realms of higher education, but confusion as to what course to study often puts a students in a fix.

The story will deal with similarities, differences, eligibility and career prospects and so on in connection with MBA and MCom.

Those desiring to know more about MBA or MCom can browse various sources in online and offline fronts for in-depth information. Details are mentioned below for the sake of the students:

MBA or MCom in 2025? Similarities and Differences

While both courses share some similarities, they have distinct differences in terms of their focus, curriculum, and career prospects.

Similarities

1. Postgraduate degrees: Both MBA and MCom are postgraduate degrees that require a bachelor’s degree as a prerequisite.

2. Duration: Both courses typically have a duration of two years.

3. Theoretical and practical learning: Both courses offer a mix of theoretical and practical learning, with a focus on developing analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Differences

1. Focus: MBA focuses on business management and administration, covering topics like finance, marketing, human resources, and operations. MCom, on the other hand, focuses on commerce and trade, covering topics like accounting, taxation, and financial management.

2. Curriculum: The curriculum for MBA and MCom differs significantly. MBA courses include subjects like organizational behavior, business strategy, and entrepreneurship, while MCom courses include subjects like advanced accounting, taxation laws, and financial management.

3. Career prospects: MBA graduates can pursue careers in management, consulting, finance, and entrepreneurship, among others. MCom graduates can pursue careers in accounting, taxation, financial management, and research, among others.

4. Entrance exams: The entrance exams for MBA and MCom also differ. MBA entrance exams like CAT, XAT, and GMAT are highly competitive, while MCom entrance exams like DUET, BHU PET, and JNU CEE are relatively less competitive.

5. Specializations: MBA courses offer a range of specializations like finance, marketing, human resources, and operations, while MCom courses offer specializations like accounting, taxation, and financial management.

MBA or MCom in 2025? Consider these factors

When choosing between MBA and MCom, consider the following factors:

1. Career goals: What are your career aspirations? If you want to pursue a career in business management, MBA might be the better choice. If you want to pursue a career in commerce and trade, MCom might be the better choice.

2. Interests: What are your interests? If you’re interested in business and management, MBA might be the better choice. If you’re interested in commerce and trade, MCom might be the better choice.

3. Skills: What are your skills? If you have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, MBA might be the better choice. If you have strong numerical and accounting skills, MCom might be the better choice.

Ultimately, the choice between MBA and MCom depends on one’s individual goals, interests, and skills.

Eligibility

There is more to it than meets the eye as far as MBA or MCom in 2025 is concerned. One of them is the eligibility criteria. Who can choose what course, MBA or MCom in 2025? The answers are below:

MCom

Those deciding for go for MCom in MBA or MCom in 2025 must fulfill the eligibility mentioned below:

1. Bachelor’s degree: You must have a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce or a related field (like BCom, BBA, or BBM) from a recognized university.

2. Minimum percentage: You must have secured a minimum percentage (usually 50% to 60%) in your Bachelor’s degree.

3. Entrance exams: Some universities require you to pass entrance exams like DUET, BHU PET, or JNU CEE.

MBA

Those who want to go for MBA, in MBA or MCom in 2025 have to have the criteria specified below:

1. Bachelor’s degree: You must have a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline (like BA, BSc, BCom, BTech, etc.) from a recognized university.

2. Minimum percentage: You must have secured a minimum percentage (usually 50% to 60%) in your Bachelor’s degree.

3. Entrance exams: Most MBA programs require you to pass entrance exams like CAT, XAT, GMAT, or MAT.

4. Work experience: Some MBA programs require or prefer candidates with work experience (usually 1-2 years).

Additional Requirements

1. Language proficiency: Some universities may require you to demonstrate language proficiency in English, especially if you’re an international student.

2. Other certifications: Some MBA programs may require or prefer candidates with additional certifications like CA, CS, or CFA.

As far as the information above in connection with MBA or MCom in 2025 is concerned, the above mentioned skills can be of use in both MBA and MCom, these skills will be of added advantage for students of both the courses.

Colleges for MBA or MCom in 2025

MBA or MCom in 2025 is the topic of discussion and then question that comes into one’s mind is that what are the some of the well-known colleges for studying MBA or MCom. The answer is mentioned below:

– Mumbai University, Mumbai: Offers a comprehensive MCom program with specializations in Accounting, Finance, and Management.

– University of Madras, Chennai: One of the oldest and most prestigious universities in India, offering a well-structured MCom program.

– University of Calcutta, Kolkata: A highly respected institution with a long history of academic excellence, offering a comprehensive MCom program.

– Osmania University, Hyderabad: A renowned institution in southern India, offering a well-structured MCom program with various specializations.

Other notable colleges offering MCom programs include:

– Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi

– Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh

– Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi

– Panjab University, Chandigarh

– University of Pune, Pune

These colleges offer a range of specializations, including Accounting, Finance, Management, and more.

It’s essential to research each college’s program, faculty, and placement opportunities to find the best fit for your academic and career goals.

MBA

IIMs

– IIM Ahmedabad

– IIM Bangalore

– IIM Calcutta

– IIM Lucknow

– IIM Indore

Non-IIMs

– Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi

– XLRI Jamshedpur

– SP Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai

– Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon

– Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad

Other notable colleges

– Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS), Mumbai

– Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management (SJMSOM), IIT Bombay

– Department of Management Studies (DMS), IIT Delhi

– Vinod Gupta School of Management (VGSoM), IIT Kharagpur

Fees

What else is required when it is about MBA or MCom in 2025? The fees, it is about the money one has to pay to study the course. The fees for both the courses are mentioned below for the sake of the students:

MCom

– Government Colleges: ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 per year

– Private Colleges: ₹10,000 to ₹50,000 per year

– Distance Education: ₹8,100 to ₹16,200 for the entire 2-year program

Some specific examples of MCom fees in top colleges in India are:

– Shri Ram College of Commerce: ₹50,000

– Hindu College: ₹25,800

– Hansraj College: ₹26,074

– Loyola College: ₹14,830

– Madras Christian College: ₹27,257

MBA

– IIMs: ₹17 lakh to ₹27 lakh

– Top Private Colleges: ₹10 lakh to ₹30 lakh

– Government Colleges: ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh

– Distance Education: ₹1.5 lakh to ₹2 lakh

Some specific examples of MBA fees in top colleges in India are:

– IIM Ahmedabad: ₹26.5 lakh

– IIM Bangalore: ₹26 lakh

– IIM Calcutta: ₹27 lakh

– XLRI Jamshedpur: ₹11.31 lakh

– FMS Delhi: ₹2.32 lakh

Keep in mind that these fees are subject to change and do not include additional expenses such as hostel fees, study materials, and other living expenses.

The fees are subject to change due to various reasons, students can visit the official websites of the institutions or can visit the institutions in person to know more about the fees.

Conclusion

MBA or MCom in 2025 are both courses with their own set of unique features, students can decided depending on their interest and career focus. A career in commerce can gets a boost on study of MCom, a career in corporate world or management world can be boosted through an MBA.

Choice between MBA or MCom in 2025 can be done considered the experience from professionals who have already proved their mettle in commerce or management sectors. Candidates also have to remember to have the required financial viability to study the courses.

Some of the institutions may be offering scholarships, candidates aiming for MBA or MCom in 2025 can also apply for these scholarships. The information can also be obtained from various online or offline sources with regards to MBA or MCom in 2025.

Also Read – Studying MCom in India in 2025: Know All About It